Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Oso and Candice Bradley - HIGH

Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Oso illustrated by Candice Bradley PICTURE BOOK  NON-FICTION Orchard Books, 2024. $19. 9781338849981

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Long before the ships sailed, black people shined like stars. In Africa, they were royalty, doctors, farmers, leaders, merchants, miners, artisans, and much more with heads held high. They built mosques and palaces, and won many battles. Hausa and Fulani lore and folktales were passed down through generations. They uncovered the mysteries of the galaxy from mathematics to engineering. Today, they continue to tell their stories showing that Black lives have always mattered. 

Before the Ships is a beautiful tribute to black lives and a narrative of light focusing on early black histories great accomplishments instead of the pain and trauma of slavery. I really enjoyed Bradley's soft ennobling illustrations. A few of the pages seem political and focus on black lives matter. 

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